Friday, 29 March 2019

The Forestry Commission is celebrating 100 years: In September 1919 the Forestry Commission was founded to restore the nation’s woods and forests following the First World War, and the passing of the Forestry Act.

We are now England’s largest landowner and look after over 1,500 forests. We deliver internationally renowned research in sustainable forestry and help other landowners make their woodlands more productive, better for wildlife, and prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.

This symposium will draw together a wide variety of voices to explore a heritage of woodland and forest and look to their future. In celebration of the Forestry Commission’s centenary it looks back at the last 100 years and looks forward to the next.

The event will draw on the wisdom of foresters, environmental managers, policy-makers, scientists and other experts; it will hear the voices of artists, designers, writers and philosophers; and learn from others around the world about their own cultural connections to trees, and the wood that produces some of the world’s most beautiful objects.

Forest Research's contrbutions include a presentation by Chris Reynolds on 'Alternative species for resilient forests' in which he will explain how Forest Research are reviewing and testing new tree species for forestry in the UK. This will include some early results from recent field trials.

Also, with Karen Price from from Westonbirt Arboretum, Liz O'Brien will be holding an interactive workshop on 'How to Hygge a Tree' in which they will be exploring techniques for using trees and woodland for positive wellbeing.